SHEFFIELD UNITED: It’s The Big 50

Dom Howson

UNDER-pressure Sheffield United manager Micky Adams is today plotting a course to reach the magical 50 point mark to secure Championship survival.

In the past five years, sides have guaranteed their status in the second tier by accumulating between 49 and 53 points.

Adams, still searching for his first win in charge after more than two months at the helm, will have to lead his under-performing United players to the equivalent of seven wins from their remaining 12 matches to stand any chance of staying in the division.

Top bookmaker Victor Chandler has written off the Blades’ hopes of beating the drop and priced Adams at 3/1 on to be the next boss to be axed.

It is a tall order and left-back Stephen Jordan, who recently swapped United’s relegation battle for a promotion push at Huddersfield Town, believes it would be a “travesty” if the club dropped out of the Championship.

Jordan told The Star: “I hope the club can get out of the trouble it’s in. There is no reason why they can’t if they can go on a good run. The teams around them are not winning many games so if they can put half a decent run together then they can get out of it. It is a good club and it would be a travesty if they went down.

“It is just a case of them getting a couple of wins under their belts. I know they have not won since the new manager has come in but they just need to go on a consistent run. A couple of back-to-back wins will do them the world of good.” Jordan feels a lack of stability at the top has contributed to United’s downward spiral: “I don’t think having four managers in one season helps. Each manager comes in with their own ideas, plans and players. Four managers in one season is a bit of a joke. I’ve never known anything like it.”

Opportunities to shine in the first-team have been limited for Jordan since Adams’ arrival, the defender making just two appearances. Out-of-contract at Bramall Lane in the summer, he concedes he is in the dark over his long-term future. “I have been told that I am not in Micky’s plans,” said Jordan. “I want to play football and Huddersfield have given me the opportunity to do that.

“I really enjoy playing for United but when the manager tells you that you are not in his plans, sometimes you have got to go elsewhere.”

Here we predict United’s results and we’ll err on the side of favourable.

PORTSMOUTH (A): Pompey, having won in midweek, are on a good run but may just slacken a touch. Draw.

FOREST (H): Big atmosphere and United can rise to this one. Win.

WATFORD (A): United visit a side who score plenty but concede a lot. Win.

LEEDS UTD (H): Blades won’t want to lose this one above all. Draw

QPR (A): On TV. Which often perks up the away team. But Warnock’s mob will have too much. Lose.

MIDDLESBROUGH (H): No great shakes and a winnable game. Win.

CARDIFF (H): A tough one against a side needing to win in promotion chase. Lose.

PRESTON (A): Been poor all season. No reason not to triumph. Win.

BRISTOL CITY (H): Won at Ashton Gate and so going for a double. Draw.

READING (A): A decent home side. Must win. ‘Fraid not. Draw.

BARNSLEY (H): Reds fans wouldn’t mind sending Blades down. Draw.

SWANSEA (A): What a last match trip! Hardly anybody scores there except the Swans. Lose.

So, that’s a rough and reasonably generous guesstimate of 17 points - making 46 in all.